April 27, 2009

Khabibulin catches ride with reporters after Blackhawks team bus leaves without him

CALGARY -- The Blackhawks' team bus left the Pengrowth Saddledome following the morning skate in preparation for Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Calgary Flames without one key member. Monday night's starting goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, walked out the door to see the bus leaving without him.

The veteran was forced to share a cab back to the team hotel with a couple of Chicago sportswriters, including this reporter. He's no doubt hoping things go a little more smoothly tonight as the Hawks look to clinch the series.

Hawks defenseman Matt Walker is scheduled to play tonight despite suffering a dislocated finger in Game 5 on Saturday night. The video of the play and the aftermath is below. Check out the reactions of the women behind the Hawks' bench. If you're squeamish about such things, don't watch.

All-Star defenseman Dion Phaneuf won't play for the Flames tonight, according to coach Mike Keenan.

Phaneuf was injured during a third-period collision with the Hawks' Troy Brouwer in Game 5 on Saturday night and left the contest wobbly on his skates.

Losing Phaneuf is the biggest blow, however, as Calgary's top defenseman had 11 goals and 36 assists in the regular season and is a physical presence along the Flames' blue line. Keenan said Phaneuf is "day-to-day," but with the Flames facing elimination from the series he may have played his last game of the season.

About this blog

I do remember the roar. And I remember my first Blackhawks game. I grew up in the western suburbs and my father took me to Chicago Stadium on Feb. 20, 1980 when Tony Esposito and the Hawks downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2.

My most vivid memories of the night are Esposito taking a slap shot to the head and collapsing, sending the crowd of 9,322 into a stunned silence. After a few minutes the Hall of Fame goaltender stood up, received a standing ovation and finished the game.

It was also the night the United States Olympic hockey team defeated West Germany 4-2 en route to a meeting with the Soviet Union and an eventual gold medal. When the score was announced the crowd broke into a chant of "USA! USA!" How could I not get hooked on hockey?

I started working at the Tribune while still in high school at Hinsdale South and I've been a copy editor, page designer, high school sports editor and now a beat reporter for an Original Six team. What a strange trip, indeed.

There's no truth to the rumor I bought a condo in the West Loop so I can take the No. 20 bus to work, but it does help make the commute to the United Center rather short.